Source: Team_Talk
Warnock welcomes Blues revival
Warnock experienced a similar scenario during his days at Liverpool when Everton were battling for a European spot.Villa take on Arsenal on Sunday hoping to sustain their push for a Champions League spot after four successive victories.But Birmingham have also been in excellent form and went into the festive programme seventh in the Barclays Premier League after a nine-match unbeaten run which yielded 21 points.Warnock said: "I made my first Villa start after moving from Blackburn in the derby at St Andrew's and I was very impressed by them."I know we got the victory (1-0) but I thought they were well organised and very hard to beat."I've always found that throughout the years when playing Birmingham. They've also got very passionate fans and it's a tough place to go."The way the league has gone this year is such that, if you do put a run of results together, it can thrust you from nowhere to being right up there and Birmingham have done that."It's great for the city to have two teams up there and I'm sure it's great for the fans."They're probably enjoying the banter between each other at work. It was always the same when I was at Liverpool."There was a spell where Everton were right up there and fighting for the Champions League spots and it was great around the city."There was a buzz around the city and a great pride and I'm sure the people of Birmingham are very proud of their two teams at the moment."Vila face a crucial period with a home game against Liverpool on Tuesday following on from tomorrow's meeting with Arsene Wenger's side.Warnock said: "The Christmas period is very important for us because we have got tough games coming up."We know that if we can stay in and around the top four until after Christmas time then we have a very good chance of being there come the end of the season."Striker Emile Heskey is manager Martin O'Neill's only injury worry with a groin problem suffered against Stoke last weekend, although it is not as serious as first feared.